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Norwood content with decision to stay

Star defender was going to go pro, admits he still thinks about decision

USC quarterback Zac Brindise

USC quarterback Zac Brindise takes a snap during drills on Tuesday night during USC's practice. Brindise is part of the group of quarterback competing to be Stephen Garcia’s backup.

Rich Glickstein/rglickstein@thestate.com

Written by SETH EMERSON

semerson@thestate.com
Posted on 03.25.09
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Eric Norwood

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Eric Norwood, who dons a No. 40 on gamedays and wore No. 22 during spring practice last year, is wearing No. 23 in practice this year. "I just figured I might as well wear 23 this year for the spring," he said Tuesday. "Nothing serious."

USC will showcase its pro prospects for NFL scouts Wednesday at Williams-Brice Stadium. If not for a change of heart, linebacker Eric Norwood would be out there.

But after initially saying he would turn pro, the junior decided to stay in school — a decision he admits he still wonders about, but doesn’t regret.

“I still think I made the right decision,” Norwood said after Tuesday’s spring practice. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind from time to time, especially with it right now, the combine already happening, all the stuff leading up to the draft. I mean that crosses my mind.

“But I’m patient. I’ve been here three years. I did a lot to get in here, I had a lot of help getting here, so I might as well go ahead and finish it.”

Norwood, a two-time, first-team All-SEC pick by the coaches, will start next season as the league’s active leader in both sacks and tackles-for-loss. He is also third on South Carolina’s all-time sack list.

And as long as he keeps a good diet, he will enter next season in a little better shape. The 6-foot-1 Norwood said he is still around 250 pounds but his body fat has fallen from about 17 percent to 13.

“I had to cut a lot of stuff out — a lot of extracurriculars,” he said.

This will be his second year at outside linebacker, after moving over from defensive end. But he shrugged off the importance of that.

“I think I got over the switch after the first couple of games. That’s when I started to get my confidence back,” Norwood said. “But now it’s just being more consistent. That’s the main thing, just consistency. I’ve got the same weight, but just a little leaner, quicker, stronger. I’m about as strong as I’ve ever been.”

Return of the Batchelor? Guard Heath Batchelor is scheduled to return to the team in August, according to coach Steve Spurrier. That would give the Gamecocks some much-needed depth on the offensive line, and a potential starter.

Batchelor opened last season as a starter as a redshirt sophomore. But he was benched because of unspecified off-field issues, and was suspended in October. He eventually withdrew from school.

But Spurrier said Batchelor was “scheduled” to be back for practice in August.

Also on guard. Redshirt freshman T.J. Johnson appears to have moved to the first-team at right guard, moving past junior Terrence Campbell.

“Hopefully he’ll earn one of those guard positions,” Spurrier said of Johnson. “He just needs to learn how to play. Btu he’s smart, conscientious and wants to play well.”

Extra points. Cornerback C.C. Whitlock and defensive tackle Melvin Ingram missed practice because of academics. Ingram also has an ankle injury, according to defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. ... Receiver Matt Clements missed a practice after pulling a hamstring in Saturday’s scrimmage.

Practice video

Comments after South Carolina's spring practice Tuesday, including coach Steve Spurrier, Ellis Johnson, T.J. Johnson, Cliff Matthews, Shane Beamer and Eric Norwood.

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.

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